Homes to be heated by London Underground

A new project has been set up to use waste heat from the London underground to warm homes and cut people's energy bills.

Islington Council's Bunhill Heat and Power heat network will run the scheme and they already supply more than 700 homes with greener heating.

The new project will see the network will be expanded to capture and utilise two local sources of waste heat. One will come from a London underground ventilation shaft and the other will come from a sub-station owned and operated by UK Power Networks. Under the expansion there will also be at least another 500 homes connected to Islington's heat network.

The heat will be captured from a nearby Northern Line vent and piped into the heat network which will warm local homes, reports 24dash.

This is the first of its kind in Europe and is a partnership between Islington Council, London Mayor Boris Johnson, UK Power Networks and Transport for London.

Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, said: "The expanded Bunhill Heat Network will cut energy bills for hundreds more local people. With energy prices going up and up, it's vital we do what we can to cut bills. It's all part of the council's work to help people manage the rising cost of living. Last winter was one of the coldest for decades and record energy prices meant many families on fixed incomes spent it in misery, unsure whether to heat or eat."

Matthew Pencharz, the Mayor of London's senior advisor on environment and energy, said: "We need to do everything possible to create a more secure, cost-effective and sustainable heat and power supply for London. By supporting locally sourced energy and heat networks which can reduce bills and lower carbon emissions, we can not only save money but also drive innovation, jobs and growth in this burgeoning sector."

Currently Islington's heat network is currently fed by a combined heat and power energy centre which produces both electricity and heat. In the same way a car engine's heat is used to keep drivers warm, the energy centre uses the heat created from producing electricity to keep buildings warm and provide hot water.

Martin Wilcox, head of future networks at UK Power Networks, said: "We are carrying out a feasibility project exploring the potential to capture waste heat from one of our high voltage electricity substations and use it to warm local homes for the first time. If it is successful there could be potential to replicate this and increase access to low carbon, low cost energy in other parts of the capital because we have electricity substations dotted throughout London which keep the lights on for millions of homes and businesses."

Related articles

19 Aug

New supported housing facility to be built in Middlesbrough

The site has been developed by Riverside to provide supported housing, comprising of 20 self-contained flats for social housing and training facilities to support people into employment, reports the...

By Laura Matthews

17 Aug

Supported living accommodation plans submitted in Leamington Spa

HB Villages Developments Ltd have made the application which will include a two-storey residential building of 16 self-contained one bedroom supported living apartments, reports The Leamington...

By Laura Matthews

14 Aug

Young people in Sheffield given help to live independently

The course is run by Guinness Care and Support at the Sheffield Foyer, which is a 60-room scheme that provides accommodation for young people aged between 16-25 such as care leavers and young...

By Laura Matthews

14 Aug

A new supported living scheme has opened in Paignton

Bridgman House has been opened to provide care for up to eight young people in transition from the family home, education or residential care, reports The Torquay Herald.The property is in the town...

By Laura Matthews

13 Aug

Homelessness charity opens furniture shop in Nailsworth

Emmaus Gloucestershire has opened a shop in Nailsworth that sells upcycled furniture, allowing customers to have the opportunity to bring old furniture in to be restored or adapted to particular...

By Laura Matthews

05 Aug

Restaurant in London helps to tackle youth homelessness

Alone in London, a charity that provides support, training and mediation for young homeless people and young people at risk of homelessness has joined forces with The Breakfast Club to create a...

By Laura Matthews

04 Aug

Housing group’s supported housing contract extended

Progress Housing Group provide supported housing and support services for women and children fleeing domestic violence and young people facing homelessness, reports 24dash.Progress Housing manage a...

By Laura Matthews

30 Jun

Empty homes fund launched by Scottish Government

The fund is to be used to revamp empty homes and convert derelict commercial spaces into affordable housing, reports Inside Housing. Under the scheme housing associations will be able to apply for...

By Laura Matthews

22 Jun

People with vulnerabilities to receive support from new care scheme

People with vulnerabilities and people who are socially isolated in Reading are set to benefit from a new scheme run by GPs and Age UK, reports Get Reading. North West Reading NHS Clinical...

By Laura Matthews

18 Jun

New initiative sees young people create food parcels for the homeless

The group of eight young people from Charles England House, a specialist young people’s housing scheme run by Merlin, put together 50 food parcels, reports 24dash.This new project is part of a new...

By Laura Matthews

How to fund Housing Support and Social Care Services
"Alot of information in a short time, good for me because I travelled a long way. So I feel the journey was worthwhile."
C.T - People First Dorset